Science What is the nature of Science in Grades 7 & 8? The aims of the SJII Grades 7 & 8 Science curriculum deliberately encompass a broad educational framework incorporating SJII’s approach to learning and school philosophies. We have incorporated best practice principles by consulting a number of world leading curricula, including of course those of Singapore MOE education program and the International Primary Curriculum (IPC). We believe “The goal of Science education is not knowledge of a body of facts and theories, but a progression towards key ideas which enable understanding of events and phenomena of relevance to students’ lives.” (The Association for Science Education, 2010) When students are engaged and excited by their learning, they are eager to pursue and explore their learning further. Through provision of such a curriculum a natural progression of the knowledge and content delivery occurs in a seamless, embedded manner.
The following is a list of some of the sources drawn upon in the curriculum’s development; ●
Middle Years Program
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Australian Curriculum
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International Baccalaureate
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The Singapore Curriculum for Science
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The SJI International Approach to Teaching and Learning
The key aims are to nurture students’ learning and development of ⮚
Scientific Literacy
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Inquiry Skills
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Internationalism
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Environmental awareness, and be able to clearly see the
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Relevance of Science to humanity
What is our approach to learning? We recognize that “Young people will need a wide and adaptive set of knowledge, understanding and skills to meet the changing expectations of society and contribute to the creation of a more productive, sustainable and just society” (Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority, 2016). We aim to harness the innate curiosity of students and their desire to explore the world around them, and create a natural progression from this point into their learning in Science in Grade 7 & 8. The curriculum encompasses the broad subject areas of Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Earth and Space, and Scientific Inquiry; which is embedded in all teaching practice, as well as being explicitly taught in the Investigation Unit. These learning areas will be introduced through ‘Big Ideas’ that 17
